Assuring sustainable supply of aggregates is an important challenge due to their economic importance and the potential environmental and social impacts associated with their production. The SNAP-SEE project focuses on developing and disseminating tools for aggregates management planning in Southeast Europe (SEE). It builds on the results of the Sustainable Aggregates Resource Management (SARMa) project.

Due to regional differences in historical development, there are diverse approaches to aggregates policies, planning and management in SEE, which is hindering resource efficiency and economic development in the region:

differences among mineral policies;

aggregates policies and plans are distributed among many different legal documents, making coordination and a comprehensive understanding difficult;

authorities in SEE countries do not have the understanding of either sustainable aggregates resource management (SARM) or planning for sustainable supply mix (SSM) and

there is almost a complete lack of coordination on planning supply from primary and secondary aggregates sources.

The SNAP-SEE project is divided into 6 work packages. The following table depicts the duration of the work packages. The project will end in November 2014.

Short descriptions of SNAP-SEE project work packages:

WP1 – Transnational project and financial management

WP1 will be a horizontal activity lasting throughout the project and assuring proper support for implementation of thematic activities, coordination of partners and financial - administrative project management. Regular monitoring of project progress will be performed at SC meetings, internal evaluation of quality of outputs will be implemented by the QMB whereas additional evaluation of project impact will be prepared on the basis of questionnaires for target groups in project countries who are the beneficiaries of SNAP-SEE project results.

WP2 – Communication activities

Communication activities will be implemented throughout the project as a horizontal activity. The main focus of the dissemination activities will include target groups from the SEE area. Transnational events will be organised, and experts from other SEE countries will participate in national events so that exchange of knowledge between countries will be ensured. With the use of internet and with the help of the press project results will be disseminated.

WP3 – Capacity building and stakeholder engagement in aggregates planning

The purpose of this WP is to create a common base of understanding between partners as well as between target groups about Sustainable Aggregates Resource Management (SARM) and Sustainable Supply Mix (SSM). National consultations with target groups will be conducted to ensure stakeholder input to the development of the SEE Vision and the Aggregates Planning Scheme. A Handbook on Capacity Building and Stakeholder Consultation in aggregates planning as part of a SEE Aggregates Planning Toolbox will be created and used as reference material for partner and other SEE countries.

WP4 – Data and methodologies for primary and secondary aggregates

The purpose of this WP is to identify the data needs and related analysis methodologies that can be used to turn raw data into useful supporting information to support planning for primary and secondary aggregates. A Handbook on Data and Analysis Methodologies for aggregates planning will be created and will be available as reference material for partner and other SEE countries.

WP5 – National/regional planning

The purpose of this WP is to analyse the primary and secondary aggregates planning approach in each partner country (on national or regional level), including information on data and methodologies. Guidance on partner country planning will also be prepared and a Joint SNAP-SEE Vision for integrated aggregates planning will be created.

WP6 – Aggregates planning scheme

This WP is the capstone of SNAP-SEE and has as its purpose the creation of the Common Transnational Aggregates Planning Scheme and the Aggregates Planning Toolbox. First a SWOT analysis of existing, non-partner country approaches to planning for primary and secondary aggregates supply will be made. Then a transnational planning scheme will be developed. It will contain statements of good governance. The scheme can be used in combination in cases where all planning related to primary and secondary aggregates reside in a single document, or individually, where needed in different planning documents in partner and other SEE countries.